Every coach needs a player that takes his team to the next level. Gary had Joe, Mark has Melo. Joe never looked out matched or like the moment was too big for him. Melo seems that way to me, I mean I feel like every time he shoots that ball is definitely going in. Joe Smith made MD basketball relevant again 21 years ago, and Melo Trimble seems to be doing the same(yes we have been irrelevant for several years, sans GV's senior year). Granted, it's a small sample size, and there will be bumps in the road, but I get a good feeling about this.

And yes I know Melo was not a diamond in the rough like Joe, but Joe was never a project either, just overlooked. Joe's Terps knocked off #15 Georgetown in his first season, not too different from Melo's Terps recent triumph.

Just for the memories:

Freshman center Joe Smith scored more points -- a game-high 26, to go along with nine rebounds and three steals -- than any player in his first game at Maryland.

Hopefully the similarities continue to mount.